Auto step mat



O. L.. MORSEN AUTO STEP MAT pk'i 29, 1924.

Filed March r7, 1923 w if MLM/ A L /Wmew H Trae/VE ys I/I//T/VESSES @MAZ/W naasten as, reas.

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Application led March '7, 1923. Serial No. 623,506.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, OSCAR L. Monsun,

a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Akron, in the county of Summit and State of Ohio, have invented a new and lmproved Auto Step Mat, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to improvements in auto step mats, an object of the invention being to provide a mat which may be conveniently connected to the running boa-rd or step of an automobile, which will prevent slipping, and which will clean the shoes and allow the snow or dirt to pass through the mat and not disigure the car.

A further object is to provide a device of this character, which can be readily con nected to the running board or step of any ordinary automobile, which can be manufactured and sold at a reasonably low price, and which will most efficiently perform the functions for which it is intended.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in certain novel features of construction and combinations, and arrangement of parts, as will be more fully hereinafter described and pointed out in the claims.

ln the accompanying drawings- Figure 1 is a view in plan illustrating my improved device in position on the running board of a car.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the mat supporting plate.

Figure 3 is a view in transverse section on the line 3-3, of Figure 1.

l represents the running board of an automobile, or any other vehicle, although it is to be understood that my invention is particularly adapted for use in connection with motor vehicles.

2 represents my improved mat, and 3 a supporting plate upon which the mat is mounted and iixedly connected. rl`he supporting plate 3 is preferably of metal, and is formed with supporting flanges i at its ends, which rest upon the ruiming board 1, while the main portionof the plate 3 is depressed land fixed within an opening cut out of the ruiming board. Any suitable securing devices such as screws or bolts 5, may be used to secure the flanges d to the running board 1, and the invention is not limited in this particular.

The mat Qis preferably composed of rubber, or other similar materialy and comprises an outer frame 6 of generalobl'ong shape connected by longitudinal parallel webs or bars 7. These webs 7 are spaced apart, and are strengthened by one or more intermediate webs or cross bars 8, the upper surface of the latter being below the upper surfaces of the webs 7, so as not to interfere with the rubbing or cleaning action of the webs 7 as the foot is moved across the same.

The plate 3 is provided with longitudinal slots 9 which register with the spaces between the webs 7, so that the dirt, snow, or water, will fall through the plate onto the ground, and the mat can free itself and be kept clean as willbe readily understood.

At the corners of the mat I provide integral enlargements 10 which extend slightly below the lower plane of the rest of the mat, and are positioned in correspondingly shaped depressions 11 in plate 3, and securing devices 12 such for example, as ordinary bolts and nuts, are projected through the enlargements l0 and the plate 3, to secure the parts together.

lt is to be understood of course, that the invention is not limited to the particular securing means employed, as I may resort to any eiective means for the purpose.

To install my improved device, it is simply necessary to cut an opening in the running board, or step, of the proper size and shape to receive the depressed main portion of plate 3, when the latter is secured in place. The mat is then inserted in the supporting plate and secured as above explained.

When the webs at the outside of the mat wear, the mat can be reversed in its supporting plate, as'the webs at the inner portion ef the mat are exposed to little wear, and hence this reversing of the mat will lengthen the life of the device.

Various slight changes might be made in the general form and arrangement of parts described, without departing from my invention, and hence ll do not limit myself to the precise details set forth, but consider myself at liberty to make such changes and alterations as fairly fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

l claim:

1. A device of the character described comprising a supporting plate having end flanges and a substantially rectangular depressed portion entending between the end iianges, said depressed portion having a series of spaced slots extending longitudinally thereof and having depressions at the corners thereof, and a. inat fitting thev depressed portion of the plate and having a series of spaced apart 1oars extending longitudinally thereof, the respective spaces between said bars registering with the corresponding slots in the supporting plate, said mat also having the corner portions thereof enlarged downwardly to interlit the corner depressions in the supporting plate.

2. A device of the character described comprising a supporting plate having ianges at the ends thereof and a depressed portion extending between said tianges, said depressed portion having a series of spaced longitudinally extending slots therein, and a niat fitting upon the depressed portion of the plate, said mat being formed to provide a series of spaced apart bar portions eX- tending longitudinally thereof, the respective spaces between said bar portions registering with the corresponding slots in the underlying supporting plate, said, niat also including a series of alined cross-bars connecting the longitudinal hars together, the upper surfaces of the cross-bars lying in a plane lower than that of the upper surfaces of the longitudinal bars.

OSCAR L. MORSEN. 

